X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Miguel Rojas and Nelson Cruz: Buying and Selling the Latest Offseason News for Fantasy Baseball

Our Ben Rosener takes a look at the fantasy baseball impact of Miguel Rojas being traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers and Nelson Cruz reportedly agreeing to terms with the San Diego Padres ahead of the upcoming 2023 season.

Even though the Winter Meetings are now behind us, there’s still plenty of offseason left when it comes to baseball news and rumors – especially with a number of the offseason’s top free agents still without a team. And that’s all without mentioning potential trades as there hasn’t been an overabundance of deals made so far. The reports and rumors of free agent interest and trade interest, combined with actual free agent signings and trades, will continue to have significant ramifications for fantasy managers ahead of drafts this Spring.

The aim of this column is to provide you with the latest fantasy analysis on both rumors and reports, as well as official signings and trades, and how it pertains to redraft fantasy baseball leagues this Spring. Moves, or rumors and reports, tabbed as “Buying” are obviously good moves or potentially good moves from a fantasy standpoint. Moves or potential moves and reported interest that are filed under “Selling?” Not so great.

So, without further ado, let’s dive into the news.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools and resources:

 

Buying For Fantasy Baseball

Miguel Rojas Being Traded To The Dodgers

Rojas is purely a shortstop option in deep fantasy leagues at this point after hitting .236 with a .283 on-base percentage, six home runs, and nine stolen bases in 507 plate appearances for the Miami Marlins last season. While he’s likely to stay as a deep league option for fantasy managers in the early portion of the season, his recent trade to the Los Angeles Dodgers gives him some newfound fantasy potential if everything lines up.

It seems unlikely that Rojas will step directly into Trea Turner’s job at shortstop given Los Angeles’ other options at the position, notably Gavin Lux and Chris Taylor. Though Lux and Taylor’s ability to play other positions could potentially give Rojas at least a semi-regular role where plate appearances are concerned. If the former Marlin can log somewhere in the range of 300 to 400 plate appearances, he could be a useful fantasy option in 14-team leagues given the number of run-scoring and RBI opportunities that are likely to occur in a Dodgers lineup that returns Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Will Smith, Max Muncy, Trayce Thompson, and Lux and added J.D. Martinez.

Rojas should, relatively speaking, also be much more productive where both statistical categories – at least compared to what he did last season. The infielder logged just 36 RBI and 34 runs scored on a Marlins team that scored nearly 250 fewer runs (586) than the Dodgers did (847) this past year.

His RBI and run-scoring chances could also increase if Rojas’ BABIP isn’t on the unlucky side. Due to his nature as a hitter with high contact and low strikeout rates – the 33-year-old’s strikeout rate has yet to finish above 14% in a full season in the Majors – he’s turned in strong batting average metrics when his BABIP hasn’t cratered.

In the past six seasons, Rojas has turned in a BABIP above .300 in 2017, 2019, and 2020. In those seasons, he hit .290, .284, and .304. And even in those seasons, the BABIPs weren’t all that outrageous or gaudy.

Miguel Rojas’ Batting Average and BABIP Numbers By Season:

  • 2017: 306 PA, .324 BABIP, .290 batting average
  • 2018: 528 PA, .272 BABIP, .252 batting average
  • 2019: 526 PA, .314 BABIP, .284 batting average
  • 2020: 143 PA, .330 BABIP, .304 batting average
  • 2021: 539 PA, .295 BABIP, .265 batting average
  • 2022: 507 PA, .258 BABIP, .236 batting average

This is all without mentioning Rojas’ stolen base potential as well. The infielder has stolen at least nine bases in each of the last three full seasons and could theoretically top his career high of 13 in 2023 thanks to new rule changes introducing larger bases.

It’s not a guarantee that Rojas’ BABIP will play cooperate, but there’s some fantasy potential here now that Rojas is a member of the Dodgers.

 

Selling For Fantasy Baseball

Nelson Cruz Reportedly Agreeing To Terms With The Padres

Nelson Cruz has reportedly agreed to terms with the San Diego Padres on a one-year deal per a tweet from Z101’s Hector Gomez on Wednesday. Gomez tweeted the following:

“Nelson Cruz and San Diego Padres are in agreement for one year. @z101digital @ZDeportes.”

The 42-year-old, coming off a down year at the plate, hit .234 with a .313 on-base percentage, 10 home runs, and four stolen bases in 507 plate appearances for the Washington Nationals in 2022. It was his first full season ever at the Major League level in which he didn’t collect 22 or more home runs. What was perhaps most concerning was a sudden decrease in quality contact.

Cruz’s barrel rate, while still solid at 9.3%, dipped below the 13.5% mark for the first time in the last seven seasons. His xwOBA dropped to just .320 after finishing no lower than .363 in the previous seven campaigns. What’s more, the slugger, who routinely flirted with or topped a .500 mark where xwOBAcon was concerned, logged a .377 xwOBAcon in 2022.

In short, he just wasn’t making as much quality contact, and that clearly took a toll on his power numbers. Of course, seeing his ground ball rate increase by nearly 10% from 42.9% in 2021 to 52.4% last year probably had something to do with that. Still, the decrease in loud contact was hardly ideal.

Without recent elite expected numbers metrics at the plate, or recent elite power numbers, it’s hard to forecast him as a viable fantasy option in anything other than deeper leagues at this point. And given the roster construction in San Diego, it seems unlikely he’ll play full-time. The Padres are set most everywhere except left field at the moment, but once Fernando Tatis Jr. eventually returns, they’ll have a full lineup.

That could lead to some early, consistent playing time for Cruz, with Matt Carpenter shifting to left field, but the batting order looks far too crowded for a full season’s worth of plate appearances for the former National. This seems like a move that could have more of an impact from a real-life baseball standpoint than a fantasy baseball one.



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy baseball app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, sleepers, prospects & more. All free!



More Fantasy Baseball Advice




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Alex Ovechkin

Not Thinking About Retirement
NHL

Penguins Acquire Arturs Silovs
NHL

Nikolai Kovalenko Returns to Russia
Yoshinobu Yamamoto

Tosses Gem Against Giants
Shota Imanaga

Shuts Down Yankees on Sunday
Nathan Eovaldi

Dominant Again in Seventh Win
Tyler Reddick

Evades Near Upset to Remain Alive in In-Season Challenge
Ty Gibbs

One of Three Tylers to Make In-Season Challenge Semifinals
Kyle Larson

Curiously Mediocre at Sonoma Before Late-Race Crash
NASCAR

John H. Nemechek Edges Out Teammate to Make In-Season Challenge Semifinal
Alex Bowman

Ty Dillon Bumps Alex Bowman to Advance to In-Season Challenge Semifinal
A.J. Dillon

Not a Lock for a Roster Spot?
Chicago White Sox

Billy Carlson Goes 10th Overall to White Sox
Cincinnati Reds

Steele Hall Selected Ninth by Cincinnati
Toronto Blue Jays

Blue Jays Select JoJo Parker with Eighth Overall Pick
Boston Celtics

Damian Lillard Drawing Interest from the Celtics
Miami Marlins

Marlins Select Aiva Arquette With Seventh Overall Pick
Pittsburgh Pirates

Pirates Select Seth Hernandez with Sixth Overall Pick
Kyle Stowers

Punishes Former Team with Three-Homer Game
St. Louis Cardinals

Cardinals Select Liam Doyle with Fifth Overall Pick
Daniel Gafford

Agrees to Contract Extension with Dallas
Colorado Rockies

Rockies Select Ethan Holliday Fourth Overall
Seattle Mariners

Kade Anderson Selected Third Overall by Seattle
Ha-Seong Kim

X-rays on Ha-Seong Kim's Foot Come Back Negative
Los Angeles Angels

Tyler Bremner Selected Second Overall by Angels in 2025 MLB Draft
Washington Nationals

Nationals Select Eli Willits First Overall
Jake Meyers

to Miss More Than Three Weeks With Calf Injury
Cooper Flagg

Shut Down for Rest of Summer League
LeBron James

Hasn't Requested a Trade
Quinshon Judkins

Following Quinshon Judkins Arrest, NFL Declines Comment
Travis Hunter

Earning Praise in Jaguars Camp for Work Ethic
Memphis Grizzlies

Cole Anthony, Grizzlies Agree to Contract Buyout
Edward Cabrera

Hopeful to Avoid Injured List
Oneil Cruz

Absent on Sunday
Lars Nootbaar

Placed on 10-Day Injured List
Jake Burger

Scratched on Sunday
Iván Herrera

Ivan Herrera Back in Action on Sunday
Shane Van Gisbergen

Can Anyone Beat Shane van Gisbergen at Sonoma?
Tyler Reddick

Better at Sonoma Than Record Shows
Chase Elliott

a Prime DFS Option at Sonoma
Julius Chestnut

Kalel Mullings Competing for RB3 Role
Michael McDowell

Struggling a Bit at Sonoma
Kimani Vidal

Fighting for No. 3 Job
Cam Hart

Recovering From Shoulder Surgery
NASCAR

Christopher Bell Has Never Finished Better Than Ninth at Sonoma
Ryan Blaney

Has Top-10 Upside at Sonoma
Quentin Johnston

Might Not Get Many Chances to Prove Himself
Tre Harris

Officially a Holdout
NASCAR

Sunday at Sonoma Will Likely Be a Long Race for Bubba Wallace
Kyle Larson

Is A Likely Top-Five Contender for Sonoma
Ryan Preece

Points Position Could Affect Race at Sonoma
Todd Gilliland

Struggling to Find Speed at Sonoma
Ty Gibbs

May be an Underrated Favorite to Compete for the Win at Sonoma
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

. Should Move Up on Sunday
Ross Chastain

is a Likely Top-Five Contender for Sonoma
Josh Berry

Should Be Avoided in Fantasy at Sonoma
Chris Buescher

is A Great DFS Option to Consider for Sonoma Lineups
Riley Herbst

a Deep Sleeper at Sonoma
Travis Etienne Jr.

Needs to Bounce Back in 2025
Wan'Dale Robinson

Wants More Downfield Opportunities this Season
Quinshon Judkins

Arrested on Saturday for Battery and Domestic Violence
Terry McLaurin

Could be a Holdout at Training Camp
Roger McCreary

a Candidate for a Contract Extension?
Mike Evans

Buccaneers Could Have Difficult Time Retaining Mike Evans
Charles Cross

Could Sign Extension Before Training Camp
Xavier Restrepo

One to Watch Going into Training Camp
Calvin Ridley

Appears Re-Energized
Mark Andrews

Still a Key Piece in Ravens Offense
Ndamukong Suh

Officially Announces his Retirement
Jaylen Waddle

Motivated After Disappointing Season
Tre Harris

Still Unsigned
Alexandre Sarr

Plays Well in Summer League Loss to Phoenix
Yang Hansen

Looks Good on Friday Night
Erik Karlsson

Open to Move Away From Pittsburgh
Zach Hyman

Hopes to be Ready for Start of Next Season
SJ

Jeff Skinner Joins Sharks on One-Year Contract
Kon Knueppel

Struggles in Summer League Win
Walter Clayton Jr.

Plays Well on Friday Night
Cody Williams

Scores 21 Points in Summer League Loss
Kyle Filipowski

Leads the Way on Friday Night
Isaiah Jackson

Signs Three-Year Extension
Marvin Bagley III

Joining the Wizards
Herbert Jones

Signing Extension with Pelicans
Jacob Toppin

Returning to Hawks
Dalton Knecht

Avoids Serious Injury
Javon Small

Signs Two-Way Deal
Ryan Reaves

Traded to Sharks
Vladislav Kolyachonok

Moves to Dallas
Matt Dumba

Lands in Pittsburgh
Mackie Samoskevich

Re-Signs with Panthers on One-Year Deal
Josh Manson

Inks Two-Year Extension with Avalanche
EDM

Isaac Howard Signs Three-Year, Entry-Level Contract With Oilers
Tallison Teixeira

Set For His First UFC Main Event
Derrick Lewis

Set To Headline UFC Nashville
Gabriel Bonfim

Looks For His Third UFC Win
Stephen Thompson

Returns At UFC Nashville
Steve Garcia

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Calvin Kattar

In Dire Need Of Victory
Morgan Charrière

Morgan Charriere A Favorite At UFC Nashville
Nate Landwehr

Aims To Bounce Back
MMA

Austen Lane Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Vitor Petrino

Set For His Heavyweight Debut
Tuco Tokkos

Set To Open Up UFC Nashville Main Card
Junior Tafa

Set For Light-Heavyweight Bout
Jalen Williams

Signs Contract Extension With Thunder
Alijah Martin

Agrees to Two-Way Deal With Raptors
Tristan Vukcevic

Set to Return to Washington
Anfernee Simons

Celtics Are "Actively Trying to Trade" Anfernee Simons
Gary Woodland

Looking to Find Rhythm at Scottish Open
Aaron Rai

Brings Consistent Play to Scottish Open
Maverick McNealy

a Solid Value Play at Scottish Open
Aldrich Potgieter

Making Scottish Open Debut
Tom Kim

Looks to Rebound at Scottish Open
Brian Harman

a Safe Option at Scottish Open
Luke Clanton

a Sneaky Value Play at Scottish Open
Sam Burns

Looking to Stay Hot at Scottish Open
Nicolai Hojgaard

May Feel More at Home in Europe
Harry Hall

Showing Fine Form Heading to Scotland
Ryan Fox

Playing Well Since Early Spring Struggles
Max Greyserman

has Solid History at the Genesis Scottish Open
Harris English

Aims High for Scotland Next
Corey Conners

Primed for the Genesis Scottish Open
Daniel Brown

Attempts the Scottish Swing Again
Jacob Bridgeman

Needs Putter to Work at Genesis Scottish Open
Scottie Scheffler

Headlines Field at Genesis Scottish Open
Rory McIlroy

a Smart Play for Scottish Open
Adam Scott

Looking to Build on History at The Renaissance Club
Justin Rose

Hopes Month Hiatus Helps Him Bounce Back at Scottish Open
NHL

Tyler Johnson Retires After 13 NHL Seasons
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF